About Me

Living in a small town can be isolating for a small business owner. I started this site to help business owners connect and share some of the tricks that we have learnt locally. Living in different towns and places we aren't any comptetion to each other and we can help each other to greater success. It's hard to get enough time to think ahead when you spend all of your time trying to stay in the black, so why not all help each other. If you have some great ideas, or what to read some ideas about running small businesses in small towns, then read on.

As we all know, non-compliance to the present building laws bring stiff fines and possible prosecution to stingy homeowners and business owners. For the sake of practicality and comfort, homeowners and business owners should take note of what is being normally inspected by public officers to avoid complications. Inspectors normally inspect the following areas:

Interior of the building

Exterior of the building

Roof space

Under-floor space

Roof exterior (subject to health and safety regulations)

Garage, carport and garden shed

Separate laundry or toilet

Small retaining walls (ie. non-structural)

Steps, fencing, paths and driveways.

The usual problems reported by inspectors fall under the category of "Structural Damage" and "Plumbing Issues". One of the main causes of structural damage is termite infestation. Termites thrive in moist environments and one way to prevent termite infestation is to remove possible sources of moisture by keeping all vents open and by repairing leaks. A home is infested with termites when you see mud tubes on the walls or when you see obvious wood damage. If the damages are blatant then you should already call a Licensed Builder. They would usually recommend treating structures with chemical agents or with a termite baiting system in order to eliminate the termite infestation. They would then assess the damages done and they would then recommend specific repairs for the building.

Another problem that is usually reported is "Structural Deterioration" which comes in the form of cracks that appear throughout the walls and ceiling of a structure. These generally occur frequently as the building gets older as the reinforcing steel of a structure corrodes and produces rust thereby expanding the concrete. In this case, a licensed builder should be consulted yearly just to check if there are problems in the structure itself.

The final ailment that is normally seen in building reports are the irritating plumbing issues. A homeowner should take note of leaking pipes, sinks and faucets. Also, one should be observant of drainage problems that are caused by clogged drainpipes and downpipes. A remedy for these problems is to make sure that the drainpipes are clean and free from debris. Faulty pipes should, therefore, be replaced.

Basically, what is needed is simply diligence and vigilance from property owners. If you see a problem small or big then you should call the necessary licensed inspector to prevent further complications. These problems spread like cancer if small problems such as a termite infested door or a leaking faucet are left alone.